Decisions of Regional Parliament Overturned in Bosnia and Herzegovina Amid Rising Tensions

Decisions of Regional Parliament Overturned in Bosnia and Herzegovina

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, High Representative Schmidt has overturned two decisions made by the Regional Parliament of Republika Srpska. The Bosnian Serb entity has long been accused of seeking secession.

New tensions are looming in the multi-ethnic Balkan state of Bosnia and Herzegovina as Christian Schmidt, former German minister and current High Representative of the international community for the country, has overturned two parliamentary decisions of the majority Serb entity.

Schmidt stated in Sarajevo that the recent decisions of the Republika Srpska Parliament constitute a clear violation of Bosnia and Herzegovina's constitutional order and the Dayton Agreement.

As the High Representative, Schmidt has the authority to modify laws and enforce decisions to ensure that the country's politicians are committed to preserving peace and promoting reconciliation.

Constitutional Court Dispute

On Tuesday, members of the Bosnian Serb Parliament voted not to recognize decisions made by the country's Constitutional Court. Earlier, the Court had amended its own statute to allow it to convene without Serbian judges. The decision came in response to the Bosnian Parliament's refusal to fill a vacant seat on the Court's bench.

Last week, the Parliament also passed a law aimed at circumventing decisions made by Bosnia's Representative Schmidt.

German Government Sees Violation of Dayton Agreement

The U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo stated that the United States supports the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and multi-ethnic character of Bosnia and Herzegovina. "Individuals" who oppose the Dayton Agreement will be "held accountable for their actions." The British Ambassador, Julian Reilly, stated that the recent steps taken by Republika Srpska pose a threat to the country's stability.

On Friday, the German government criticized the Regional Parliament's decisions for endangering the unity of the country. "The decisions of the Court are final and binding and must be respected," said Christofer Burger, spokesperson for the Foreign Office. Therefore, the German government, like the European Commission, is withholding "financial support for major infrastructure projects in Republika Srpska."

One Country, Two Entities

Nearly 30 years after the end of the Balkan War, significant tensions persist among the ethnic groups of Serbs, Croats, and Bosnian Muslims in Bosnia and Herzegovina. There are particularly strong tendencies among the Bosnian Serbs towards secession or joining Serbia.

The country is divided into Republika Srpska, mostly inhabited by Bosnian Serbs, and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where Bosnian Muslims and Croats are the majority. Both entities are connected by a weak central government.

For some time, there have been secessionist aspirations in Republika Srpska, led by President Milorad Dodik. Russia has been accused of supporting these aspirations.